MORGANTON WALKING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Rooftop Feedings and Free-Roaming Chimps: A Close, Quiet Window into Project Chimps in the Blue Ridge
A volunteer-led Supporter Tour watches chimpanzees roam native habitats and is followed by a rooftop Lunch Launch where guests help feed them; this guide explains what to expect, the timing, and accessibility details.
Rooftop Feedings and Free-Roaming Chimps: A Close, Quiet Window into Project Chimps in the Blue Ridge.
Set on the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Morganton, Project Chimps offers a Supporter Tour that places visitors beside wide, naturalistic habitats where chimpanzees can run, play, climb and relax on their own terms. The premium Supporter Tour + Lunch Launch pairs 60–90 minutes of habitat observation with a 30-minute rooftop feeding experience on the Laurie & Carlee Chateau, giving visitors a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at daily life in the sanctuary.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
See chimps roaming natural enclosures
On the Supporter Tour, guests observe chimpanzees moving through hills, trees and climbing structures — choosing to play, socialize, bask in the sun or rest in shade; tours are scheduled when habitats are open though individual chimp visibility is not guaranteed.
A rooftop Lunch Launch you participate in
Immediately after the Supporter Tour, the Lunch Launch escorts guests to the top of the Laurie & Carlee Chateau where, over roughly 30 minutes, visitors help feed the chimpanzees lunch — a direct, hands‑on support moment for the sanctuary.
Blue Ridge backdrop and volunteer stewardship
The sanctuary sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Morganton and operates volunteer-led tours that connect visitors to the chimpanzees and the organization’s daily care routines.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
The visit unfolds quietly and deliberately: a walking Supporter Tour through open, naturalistic habitats where chimps choose how to spend their day, followed without delay by a short, guided rooftop Lunch Launch where guests assist staff and volunteers in delivering midday food. Altogether the combined experience lasts up to two hours and can feel intimate and observational rather than performative.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who should plan alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Total program runs up to two hours (Supporter Tour 60–90 minutes; Lunch Launch ~30 minutes). Lunch Launches are not offered in December–February due to unpredictable winter weather.
Meet at 2031 Lowery Rd, Morganton, GA 30560 for departure to the sanctuary activities.
The Lunch Launch is located on the third floor of the Chateau requiring stairs; an elevator reaches the second floor only and there are 12 steps to the launch pad. A cart that holds up to five people is available for guests with mobility issues — select it when booking.
All bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance; tours are volunteer-led and require advance notice out of respect for volunteers’ time.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the Supporter Tour + Lunch Launch take?
The combined experience runs up to two hours: the Supporter Tour is 60–90 minutes and the Lunch Launch is approximately 30 minutes.
Will I definitely see chimpanzees on the tour?
Tours are scheduled when habitats are open, but there is no guarantee of seeing chimpanzees because each animal chooses how to spend its day.
Can I take part in feeding the chimpanzees?
Yes — the Lunch Launch escorts guests to the rooftop of the Laurie & Carlee Chateau where visitors help feed the chimpanzees lunch for about 30 minutes.
Are Lunch Launches available year-round?
No — Lunch Launches are not offered in December through February because of unpredictable winter weather.
How far in advance must I book?
All bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance to allow adequate notice for volunteer guides.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
The program involves walking on some steep grades and the Lunch Launch launch pad sits on the third floor; an elevator reaches the second floor only and there are 12 steps remaining. A mobility cart that holds up to five people is available and must be requested when booking.